Program on the CSS Hunley May 13

The Civil War Round Table of Anderson County, will observe Confederate Heritage Month at 6:30 p.m. May 13, at Boulevard Baptist Church, 700 Boulevard, Anderson (in the basement fellowship hall of the church), with a program on “The Hunley - Southern Ingenuity, Technological Innovations, and Engineering Advances” by Jack Marlar.

The CSS Hunley, a Confederate submarine, was the world’s first successful combat submarine. On Feb. 17, 1864, the CSS Hunley sank the USS Housatonic, becoming the first submarine to sink an enemy ship. The story of the CSS Hunley is known to most South Carolinians since its discovery in Charleston Harbor in 1995.

Marlar will share the little known facts of the great skills and manufacturing that was incorporated in the world’s first successful submarine. This feat, sinking an enemy ship, would not be repeated until 50 years later in 1914 during World War I. This program will highlight the greatness of the intellect and creativity that was involved in developing the Hunley. Marlar has been at the forefront of the discoveries made during the conservation of the Hunley. Marlar has worked with the Hunley Commission attending numerous meetings and discussions with many of the archaeologists that are involved in the work with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Marlar is a lifelong resident of the Palmetto State. He is a 36-year member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and was the first field representative for this organization.

Marlar has worked as production supervisor, a purchasing agent for a machine manufacturer, and an instructor for Piedmont Technical College.